THURSDAY, July 22 (HealthDay News) -- Moderate caffeine intake -- defined as less than 200 mg of caffeine, which equates to about 12 ounces of coffee -- does not appear to be linked to miscarriage or preterm birth, according to a new committee opinion published in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Obstetric Practice reviewed the scientific evidence related to caffeine's effect on miscarriage, preterm birth, and fetal growth, noting that previous studies have been small in size and possibly influenced by recall bias.

The authors write that two recent prospective studies have collected caffeine-consumption data from a large population of women receiving prenatal care before 16 weeks of gestation. One study showed no link between caffeine consumption and miscarriage, while the other showed an increased risk of miscarriage only with high levels of caffeine intake. The review of two large studies showed no relationship between caffeine intake and preterm birth. However, according to the committee opinion, there is no clear evidence on the possible relationship between caffeine and intrauterine growth restriction.

"Moderate caffeine consumption (less than 200 mg per day) does not appear to be a major contributing factor in miscarriage or preterm birth. The relationship of caffeine to intrauterine growth restriction remains undetermined. A final conclusion cannot be made at this time as to whether there is a correlation between high caffeine intake and miscarriage," according to the report.

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